USA Tour Round Up

[Strike 7,183]

Chelsea ended an unconvincing pre-season tour of the United States with a 1-0 to AC Milan, further reiterating the work needed to be done to challenge for the Premier League title next season. The defeat in Miami was preceded by a loss to the MLS All-Stars and a draw against Paris St Germain with our only win on the tour coming in the first game against the Seattle Sounders. di Matteo will take heart from the improved fitness levels and better team chemistry but Chelsea are far from ready for the new season with only 1 pre-season game left.

Defence

The backbone of our Champions League triumph, the defence, was shaky throughout the tour as players eased their way back to match fitness. Branislav Ivanovic was generally solid at right back although he will be regretting his decision to close down Emanuelson in the Milan game as it ultimately lead to the goal that separated the two sides. Gary Cahill, John Terry and David Luiz rotated at centre-back and all 3 got sufficient game time to shake off their pre-season rustiness. Paulo Fereira, used at Left-Back proved to be dead weight as he was constantly exposed by the opposition. Ashley Cole added a sense of solidity to the defence mid-way through the tour but overall, di Matteo will be worried by the mistakes committed through-out the tour.

The MLS All Stars and AC Milan looked dangerous whenever they counter-attacked as the back-four struggled to hold shape. The centre-backs were stretched wide far too easily and the defensively reliable double-pivot was often caught napping. Unless the defence is sorted out, I think we will be run over by Man City in the Community Shield.

Midfield

The midfield was chopped and changed throughout the tour but the formation was left untouched. Usually 2 players sat deep in the double pivot supplementing the 3 attacking players ahead of them. Frank Lampard had a good pre-season, especially when he drove forward, although his movement and stamina is showing rapid signs of decline. John Obi Mikel, playing alongside Lampard in midfield, had a comparetively poor pre-season riddled with sloppy mistakes. He looked lethargic through all the 4 games and usually put the defence under pressure. With a plethora of talent available for the CM position, Mikel has to step up his game for the new season. Michael Essien was pleasantly better in pre-season and I think he will be a good back-up provided he can stay injury-free.

Marko Marin, who scored in the game against Seattle, showed off his silky dribbling skills throughout pre-season and was a constant threat down the left side but his over-reliance on cutting inside made him look like a right footed Daniel Sturridge. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about though as he showed that he can get to the by-line and cut back as well in the game against Milan.

Eden Hazard, with the weight of the world bearing down on him, showed just why Chelsea shelled out 32 million to sign him with his clever turns and darting runs. Probably the most fouled player in pre-season, Hazard just about convinced doubters that he is the real deal although claims that he is Chelsea’s answer to Messi remains to be seen. He looked comfortable anywhere in the 3 attacking midfield position, especially at CAM, but once Mata’s back I expect him to shift to the wings.

Ramires had a subdued pre-season playing on the right side of midfield. His control of the ball let him down against PSG (although he did assist Piazon’s goal) but he bounced back by putting a good shift at right mid in the game against the MLS AS, where he clipped the cross that was tapped in by Lampard. Despite the assists, very few attacks passed through the right wing and Ramires was barely visible in the game against Milan.

Florent Malouda, Raul Meireles and Yossi Benayoun were used sporadically to rotate the squad. Josh McEachran and Kevin de Bruyne showed encouraging signs for the future but di Matteo’s decision to leave them out of the Milan game seems to suggest that they are on their way out on loan.

Attack

Romelu Lukaku started all 4 pre-season games as the lone man up-front. He started well in the first game against Seattle with a powerful 2-goal performance but faded away as Chelsea faced stiffer opposition. His first-touch and control of the ball let him down as he failed to link up with the midfielders. He was usually isolated up-front and did not make nearly enough runs behind the opposition defence to cause problems. Maybe a loan deal is best for both parties concerned

Lucas Piazon scored a neat goal in the PSG game and looked lively in his cameo appearances but I don’t think he is fit for the central striker role. Torres played a cameo of his own in the Milan game and looked fresh as he linked up with Hazard and Marin for the first time. He bullied his way through the Milan defence at one stage but he couldn’t get a shot away.

What we learnt in pre-season

- The MLS has come a long way

- There are a lot of Chelsea fans in USA

- Cech is taking short goal-kicks

- The defence often play their way out of trouble

- We have way too many central midfielders

- McEachran and de Bruyne would improve with loan deals

- A back-up striker is a Must for Chelsea

- Paulo Fereira should be nothing more than a translator

- Sam Hutchinson is combative but not worth 1 slot in the 25-man squad

Overall Impressions

It was frustrating pre-season tour for Chelsea although there were numerous positives to make me overlook the disappointing results. The squad is close to match fitness and the team chemistry is getting better all the time. The new signings settled well and were probably the best players on the tour while the senior players know that with the influx of young players at the club, their place in the team is not a given. And thankfully, there were no injury problems to any of the players

But even though it’s pre-season, the lack of a plan B to break down stubborn teams is worrying. The 4-2-3-1 formation itself comes with attacking limitations and although di Matteo urged the midfield to drive forward in the second half of the Milan game, I am not entirely convinced that the formation is suited for the players we have right now. There was a lack of any real penetration from Chelsea and attacks usually fizzled away before we entered the opposition’s final third. A secondary formation of a 4-3-3 or even the 4-4-2 (if we sign another striker) would be welcome given the long season we face.

New Signings

Chelsea are expected to make 2 more signings by the end of the transfer window after having already acquired Marin, Hazard and Oscar – all 3 being midfielders. A right back and a striker are needed to complete the squad.

Right Back – With Jose Bosingwa’s departure Chelsea are short of a (quality) back-up to the right back slot. Cesar Azpilicueta is rumoured to be in negotiations with Chelsea after the club’s failure in the pursuit of Inter ‘s Maicon and Lille’s Mathieu Debuchy. Among the 3, Maicon is a stop-gap option presumably to judge the progress of Billy Clifford and Todd Kane in a few years time while Debuchy and Azpilicueta would add depth to the right back slot for years to come. Debuchy is a reliable Right back who plays for Lille in the French League and was probably France’s best player in the Euros. Cesar Az is a younger version of Debuchy who recovered from a cruciate ligament rupture and got his career back on track last season with solid performances at right back for Marseille. Either of them would add much needed cover for Ivanovic in the full-back position.

Striker – Earlier in the summer, there were strong rumours of Chelsea looking to buy Hulk although it has cooled down now. Also, Olivier Giroud (Arsenal’s new signing) claimed that Chelsea made a bid for him evidencing the board’s eagerness to add a striker. The lack of cutting edge to our attack was apparent in the pre-season friendlies and with only 3 senior strikers in the squad, Chelsea are badly in need of a proven striker. Lukaku struggled through pre-season and seems destined for a loan move while banking on Torres to fire is not exactly advisable, statistically speaking atleast.

Edinson Cavani, a beast from Napoli, was part of the attack that tore us to shreds in Naples. Powerful and strong, he is a commanding presence up-front and is more than capable of leading the attack on his own. A natural finisher, he scored 29 goals for Napoli last season as he won the Copa America with Uruguay and then led Napoli to the Champions League knock-out stages and a 5^th place finish in the Serie A missing out on Champions League football by 3 points. He ticks all the right boxes to cement the centre-forward role at Chelsea.

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is another name on di Matteo’s radar after a sensational double-winning season with Borussia Dortmund. He scored 30 goals in all competitions, including 22 in the league, (none from the penalty spot) as Dortmund swept the Bundesliga 8 points clear of Bayern Munich. He was named the Bundesliga player of the season and went onto impress in the Euros despite Poland’s group-stage exit.

Lewandowski on the temptation to play in the Premier League

This (the Premier League) is a league that I would like to play in, and I hope it happens sometime. Although I am happy at Dortmund I always like to aspire to greater heights

Victor Moses joined Wigan Athletic from Crystal Palace around the time Palace went into administration for a meager fee of 2.5 million. Undoubtedly the best player at Wigan in the last two seasons, Moses built a reputation of a pacy dribbler as Wigan charmed the Premier League with their free-flowing football. His critics will be quick to point out the lack of goals but to be fair to him, he is not an out and out striker. His pace and acceleration means he can play on the wings or as a striker. He is the perfect option to look to if the club fails in their bid to sign higher profile targets although we have to move quickly seeing as a lot of clubs including Liverpool are interested in him.

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[zolayes 14,489]

very thorough and I find myself agreeing with the vast majority of the post . The major positive was NO INJURIES

[BlueJack 24]

Good evaluation, We need a striker badly and Cavani would fit the bill well but there president seems to want 70 Million. Would be a great signing for a lot smaller price though.

[Strike 7,183]

very thorough and I find myself agreeing with the vast majority of the post . The major positive was NO INJURIES

yep. thank god for that. although i wouldn't mind Hilario or Turnbull with a broken leg

[themightyblue 443]

The only formation that the 4231 isn't suited too is Ramires, although we should be playing him in the pivot

[ZanSnake 1,211]

No mention of Hutch

[Strike 7,183]

No mention of Hutch

cech again

[Strike 7,183]

The only formation that the 4231 isn't suited too is Ramires, although we should be playing him in the pivot

yes. ramires is probably better suited to the yaya toure role but i don't think robbie will play him there given the lack of wide players and the number of CM's available

[termninja 5,290]

Nice article as usual, though I agree with ZanSnake you should've mentioned Hutch, he done well in the pre-season.

Posting it up. If you decide to make some changes PM me and I'll edit it in article.

[ZanSnake 1,211]

cech again

Meant in the defense, he wasn't that bad. Actually he impressed me greatly!

[Strike 7,183]

Nice article as usual, though I agree with ZanSnake you should've mentioned Hutch, he done well in the pre-season.

Posting it up. If you decide to make some changes PM me and I'll edit it in article.

i didn't mention him in the defence bit but i did assess him later on - "- Sam Hutchinson is combative but not worth 1 slot in the 25-man squad

he was good but i dont think the club will name him in the 25 man squad unless we sell a few players

[manpe 10,861]

But the pre-season isn't over yet? I believe we're still playing Brighton

[termninja 5,290]

i didn't mention him in the defence bit but i did assess him later on - "- Sam Hutchinson is combative but not worth 1 slot in the 25-man squad

he was good but i dont think the club will name him in the 25 man squad unless we sell a few players

Made this article photo for you

Posted.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Nice, Strike

Succinct and easy to read, great work.

[Jase 43,479]

i didn't mention him in the defence bit but i did assess him later on - "- Sam Hutchinson is combative but not worth 1 slot in the 25-man squad

he was good but i dont think the club will name him in the 25 man squad unless we sell a few players

That is just harsh on Hutchinson. Won't be a waste if take a spot in the 25 man team anyway, since he's a HG player. Turnbull, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Lampard and Sturridge are the other 7. Don't think I missed anyone out there.

[Strike 7,183]

That is just harsh on Hutchinson. Won't be a waste if take a spot in the 25 man team anyway, since he's a HG player. Turnbull, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Bertrand, Lampard and Sturridge are the other 7. Don't think I missed anyone out there.

i know probably will be left out though. really like his determination to bounce back but football is harsh sometimes. if we sell a few players, i think he'll get in but the chances are slim with more arrivals touted

[Jase 43,479]

i know probably will be left out though. really like his determination to bounce back but football is harsh sometimes. if we sell a few players, i think he'll get in but the chances are slim with more arrivals touted

IIRC, his chances won't be harmed at all since 8 of the 25 players must be HG players and you can only have up to 17 non-HG/foreign players.

[Strike 7,183]

IIRC, his chances won't be harmed at all since 8 of the 25 players must be HG players and you can only have up to 17 non-HG/foreign players.

but if we sign a premier league player (brought up in england) - victor moses - i think that's it for Hutchinson - he will be the first one to drop out